Opposite ends of spectrum — Aldon and Bubba

April 14, 2014

I wasn't really sure what to write on this week and then, bam, Aldon Smith happened.

The San Francisco 49er was detained by Los Angeles police after he indicated he was in possession of a bomb at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday.

In a story written by Adam Shefter on ESPN.com, "According to Los Angeles police public information officer Karla Ortiz, the incident happened as the man later identified as Smith was going through Terminal 1 screening and was randomly selected for secondary screening.

"Smith then became belligerent and uncooperative with the process and with the TSA agent, making a comment indicating that he was in possession of a bomb before proceeding toward the gate area, according to Ortiz.

"Los Angeles Airport Police made contact with him at the gate and he then became uncooperative again and was detained and taken into custody by airport police."

So, the question is not how Smith indicated he was in possession of a bomb, the question is why he even said something and what are the 49ers going to go about it?

If they cut ties with the guy, and no one would blame them. More than likely there will be a number of other NFL teams in line for his services.

After all, remember DeSean Jackson not too long ago?

One team's trash is another team's treasure and it is seen in professional sports time and time again.

Remember the standing ovation Ryan Braun received in Milwaukee?

Braun missed the final 65 games last season for "violations of the basic agreement and its joint drug prevention and treatment program."

Fans and teams really don't care what you have done, all they care about is what you are going to do for them to win.

Back to Smith, it would be one thing if this were the first time he had a run-in with the law.

He missed five games in 2013 after being in an alcohol treatment center. He went in three days after an arrest for a DUI, his second one since early 2012.

Smith also Smith pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon six months ago.

According to Shefter on his Twitter account, "For those wondering: False report of a bomb threat is punishable by up to a year in jail."

It will be interesting to see what happens since a)he is a really talented football player and b)there is video of the incident.

From the Twitter account of Jay Glazer, "As for Aldon Smith news, in mid 90s Jets had rookie DE leaving minicamp who joked w ppl at JFK he had bomb. He was swarmed & back then they called team and made him fly out of Laguardia. He was horrified what team would do. Dumb ... then, dumber now."

He is now one of 17 who have won the Masters more than once. Nine have won the tournament two times - Horton Smith, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Tom Watson, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Ben Crenshaw and Jose Maria Olazabal.

Jack Nicklaus has won it six times.

Waking up the golf world, again, was Jordan Spieth.

The 20-year-old proved he will be around for a long time.

He birdied No. 7 to go 8-under and take a two-shot lead over Watson and then went bogey-bogey, both two-shot swings with Watson, to be down two at the turn.

Spieth hit it in the water on No. 12 and couldn't make a putt coming in.

Jonas Blixt was the only player to play each round under par to finish, like Spieth, at 5-under.

I know there are a lot of people who will not watch golf without Tiger in the field, but, I don't care. Great golf is great golf and that was great golf.

We choose every moment of every day our attitude and how we will treat others.

"Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful." - John Wooden

(Mathison, a Weirton resident, is the sports editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times and can be contacted at mmathison@heraldstaronline.com and followed on Twitter at @MathisonMike)